A Chinese sancai shallow bowl Liao dynasty 907-1125 AD, moulded to the interior with peony flowers and leaves surrounding a central foliate motif, decorated in green and ochre and reserved on a cream ground, the rim with a band of ochre extending onto the reverse, stopping well short of the footrim to reveal the body beneath, 24.7cm.

Provenance: the collection of Andrew Williams Esq., Oxfordshire.

Cf. Sotheby's London, 12th December 1989, Important Early Chinese Ceramics, Archaic Bronzes, Sculpture, Silver and Lacquer from the Works of Art Collection of the British Rail Pension Fund, lot 68, for a dish of similar design.